Dehydrating apparatus



April 20, 1954 F s 2,675,629

DEHYDRATING APPARATUS Filed May 19, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TO R. Robert G Fisher.

APril 20, 1954 A R. G. FISHER 7 ,675,629

DEHYDRATING APPARATUS Filed May 19, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 1 Robezt BY E W @MWW April 20, 1954 R. G. FISHER DEHYDRATING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 19, 1953 R obez't G. Fisher.

Patented Apr. 20, 1954 UNITED- 2,675,629 nemznmmc ABPARATUSv Robert-G2 Fisher; Goplay, Pa.

Application rMay 19 1953, Serial;N0."=355;993-:.-

9 Claims." 11. s r -e7) 1 My inventionrelatesto apparatusfor dehydrat In. theidrawings where forlthepurpose. oi illuse ing," drying; and comminuting variousvmaterita lst. v tratio'nlis .shbwnlfamprefeired embodiment; of [my A primary object. of theinventionistorprovide. inventieh, lthe.numeralli5 designates ahorizontaL- dehydrating vor drying apparatus for-v various cylindricales'te'el casing p1- shell,.fcirming the body; CIOPSpSUCh as corn,..beans, alfalfa andtthe liken 5 portionpft the apparatus" Theeylindrical easing,

but also: equallyuseful in the-treatment.0f vari l5 .hasverticalendisupportssl6 Tandml'l rigidly; ous other divided :materials,-. such as certain. fer-.1 secured thereto in any. suitable manner, for maine tilizers andthe/liket taining' the' ;casing .spaced..'.a suitable distance i A further important ,ObjGCl'JziS eto provide inv aboveag-floor or thelik-e, uponwhiehithe .appa -L. apparatusmof the yabovehmentioned character 10 ratus rests...

novel v-meansfor regulating the'flolwsof material... The opposite ends of theicylindiical casing .15" through then-apparatus, while the: ,material. ..-is aie'iormed-opemand removablefsteel' Cover. plates under treatment. 18 and! 9 are provided,iand'iig'idlyi securedto the AH-furtherrobject is. tonprovide vinlaqdrying or) endsuof fthe .casingj-bylbolts' 20Tor ,the.1ike,. the dehydrating .apparatus'a seriesof, agitating and plates. 18 and .19 serving to cover thelo'pen ends" material flowregulating vanes whichaare adjust-. of thecasin'g l5.','. ablein unison/by the-operator: while ,the1appa A pede'stal or stand! [is fixedlysecured to the" ratus isin operation.v flo'ior and .spaced a lconside'rable" distance from A further importantobjectwo fthe-inventionis... the'endsupport vl6,1*ig'urlef1... Aifirfstbearinan f to provide aldehydrator'for grains-andthe like r2n is fiice' dly""mdunted uponlthe top or the pedestal,

whereinhthe flow of" the grains through-the. dee. 2l ,witlii its 'bore in" axial alignment with the lonhydrator isvassisted by gravity.v gitudinal .iaxislof Ithe lcyl indr'icalllcasin'g1J5. A;

A still further objectis toprovide inlapparatus't: horiiontall.v ledg'etorhshelf .123fislrigidly secured to of the above mentioned character, .,means..for syn=. the lend plate vI 9.,1andjpreierablyjformed integral chronizingtheflowwof granular. materiall'intoand L .th erewithiand arranged ."at the elevationof the. out of the apparatus, during its operation. top zofithepedestal' 2 I I A second bearing 24 "is.

A stilllfurther object .of. the invention .iseto' pro-I filtedli iwmounted upon'the 'she1f23 atqthe elevavide a dehydratingapparatus Which=is.s'implified,--.- tio'ri'of the bearing ZZIJandhaVingitsbore'in axial" rugged. and durable in .construction and reliable! alignment therewith. andefiicient in operation {fA horizontal".rotatable- .shaft"25 fis journaled" Other objects. and advantagesof thQinventionjy Within'th' bearingsjfand .Zljand extends axially will-be apparentduring theeourseof the folldwth io r th'casing 15, as Shown. shaft 25 ing description. is;held"against;axial mo'vement'bymeans of Inithe.accompanyingdrawings formingiatpart thifustbollars' ZBT'secu're'drto' the rotatable shaft of this appliea-tion,- and. inuvhichllike. numeralslg 25," 'adjacentito the -o'ute'r ends of the*bearings 222v are employed to designate like partsithroughoutj and 24 by set-screws; A first spider 21' is rigidly the same, securediito the shaft""25"for rotation therewith t Figure 1 is. alperspectii'lle vview .of dehydrating a substantialfiistance.inwardly ofthe cover plate" or dryinglapparatus 18,",Fiure 2,".an'd this? spidermcomprise's a hub- 28" Figure 1a, is' an exploded perspective view. of lreceivinguthe shaft25iand rigidly secured thereto material discharge means, i. by aset scr'ew'or the like. The spider ZTfu'rther Figure 2 isva central vertical ilongitudinal'sem' comprises radiahspokes' 29' "havin'g theirii'nn'er' tion through the same; ends rigidlysecuredto' the hub 28;"ancl an'outer' Figure .3 is a transversevertial section taken annular" ring;;i"jL shaped Lin cross-section is substantially on line: 3 3 of Figure 2, 1 rigi dli flsecured Ito the outer 'endsi'of the spokes Figure i is a similar section .taken on final-l" 29. The spider ring'fSll "hasa horizontal -'cy1in-' of Figure 2,parts in elevation, I dri'cal portion-or web 3 f,7spaeecl radially inwardly j Figure 5 'isa similar'se'ctiontaken'on IineS S of the'isidewalfof' icasin'gllifand aradialfiang of Figure 2', 32,;the peripheryjof which" is arranged fclo'se'to Figure 6 is a similar sectionltaken online" 6 6 ,thelinner' face of the casing'sidewalljand prefer; of Figure'il, ablyfl slid'ably" contacts'ithe .'same.-- The entire Figure" 7 is asimilar'sectionitakenpntliiie.1 1 spider "21;"1sthusarrangedwithin"the cylindrical"? of Figure 2,"and,.;f casing 1 5"fdr*i'otatio'n with" the shaft"25".". A pair Figure8 is'an enlarged'fragmentary elevation-a1 of opposed annular sealing rings 33,.L 'shapetf in view ofaadjustable vanesvand "associated element'sjg cross-"section .are 'rigidlysec'ured to' the O positetaken substantially on'line 'fi -flof Fiiure ii" sides b'f"th'Mdilflfih'32"Tor -rotationthere==" 3 with, and these rings preferably slidably engage the inner surface of the sidewall of casing 45, Figure 2.

A second spider 34, somewhat smaller in diameter than the spider 21 is spaced inwardly of the cover plate i9, and arranged within the casing I for rotation with the shaft 25. The spider 3 comprises a hub 35, rigidly secured to the shaft 25 by a set screw or the like, and radial spokes 3t have their inner ends rigidly secured to the hub 35, and their outer ends rigidly secured to a rigid annular band or ring 31. The spiders 2i and E i are spaced apart axially within the casing IS a substantial distance, as shown in Figure 2.

A slightly conically tapered foraminous sleeve or wire mesh screen 38 of considerable rigidity is received within the annular band 31 of the spider 35 and rigidly secured therein by welding or the like. The screen 38 is also received within the cylindrical portion 35 of the spider ring 39, and rigidly secured therein by welding or the like, and one end of the screen 38 terminates at the radial flange 32 of the ring as, Figure 2. The other end of the screen 38 is spaced axially beyond the annular band 31, and terminates near and inwardly of the cover plate i 5. This end of the screen 38 carries an annular reinforcing ring 39', permanently secured thereto by welding or the like, and the ring 39 preferably slidably' engages the cover plate l9.

A plurality of circumferentially equidistantly spaced longitudinal anchor bars it, preferably four in number are arranged adjacent to the outside of the screen 38, and have'their ends rigidly secured to the annularband 37 and ring portion 3|, respectively, by means of screws 4|, welding, or the like. Short radialpivot pins or elements 52 are journaled within openings formed in the anchor bars GB, and each anchor bar preferably carries three of the pivot pins A2 in eq uidistantly longitudinally spaced relation, as shown. A corresponding number of material agitating and flow control blades or vanes 43 are rigidly secured to the inner ends of the'pivot pins 42 of each anchor bar 46. The vanes 43 are arranged near and spaced slightly from the inner surface of the screen 38, and each vane 43 comprises a flat radial body portion 44', and a relatively short inner circumferential extension or lip 45, integral with the bodyportion :34 and spaced radially inwardly of the screen 38 a considerable distance. The lips 45 of the vanes 43 are likewise spaced a considerable distance radially outwardly of therotatable shaft 25.

The vanes 43 are thus arranged in sets of three, adjacent to the four anchor bars 40, and inwardly thereof, so that there is a total of twelve of the vanes it in the preferred embodiment of the apparatus shown in the drawings. I wish to point out however, that the apparatus is not limited to any precise number of the vanes 43, and fewer or more 'of the vanes may be employed in each set, adjacent to the anchor bars 44. The vanes in each set are preferably of the same length, Figure 2, and the lengths of the vanes are such that when the vanes extend longitudinally of the. comically tapered screen 38, their ends substantially abut or contact as shown. When extending longitudinally of the screen 38, the vanes of each set extend throughout substantially the full distance between the spiders 21 and 34, Figure 2.

A corresponding number of short operating links 46 are rigidly secured to the outer ends of the pivot pins 42, outwardly of the anchor bars 40, and these short links 4t extend generally circumferentially of the screen 38 within the space between the screen and the sidewall of the casing I5. The links 46 of each set of vanes 63 are connected by common longitudinal operating bars or links 41, pivotally secured at 48 to the ends of the short links 45 remote from the pivot pins 42. The common links 41 are twisted near corresponding ends, as indicated at 49 to form relatively short end portions 59, arranged in generally radial planes relative to the cylindrical casing [5. The link portions 59 extend through openings or slots =5l in the radial flange 32, and longitudinally beyond the adjacent end of the screen 38. A corresponding number, or four fixed fulcrum plates 52 are spaced radially inwardly of the common links 41 and extend longitudinally beyond the spider ring 38, Figure 2. The fulcrum plates 52 have their inner ends projecting into the spider ring 38, as shown, and are rigidly secured to the spider ring by welding or the like. The other corresponding ends of the fulcrum plates 52 terminate in alignment, substantially midway between the end cover plate is and spider ring 3!). The fulcrum plates 52 are disposed in the same radial planes as the link portions 50 with which they are associated, and are substantially parallel therewith.

Intermediate generally radial operating levers or links 5-3 have their outer ends pivoted at 5% to the adjacent ends of the common longitudinal links 47. The intermediate links 53 are pivoted near and outwardly of their longitudinal centers to the ends of the fixed fulcrum plates 52, as indicated at 55, Figure 2. The inner ends of the intermediate links 53 terminate close to the shaft 25, and are pivoted at 56 to short generally longitudinal walking links or plates 51. These short walking links 51 have their other corresponding ends pivoted at 53 to radial cars 59, formed integrally upon the inner end of a longitudinally shiftable clutch sleeve 65!, in turn slidably mounted upon the rotatable shaft 25 and adapted to turn therewith and to move longitudinally thereon.

The end cover plate .1 8 has a central cylindrical tubular extension 6|, provided at its end with a removable cover plate 62, and the tubular extension 6| is preferably formed integral with the end cover plate l8, Figure 2. The cover plate 62 has a central opening 63, slidably receiving the shiftable clutch sleeve 60. The tubular extension GI and cover plate $2 define an enclosure or passage for the short walking links 51, and associated elements, which are shiftable longitudinally outwardly of the end cover plate It in certain adjusted positions of the vanes 63, as will be more fully described hereinafter. The outer end of the clutch sleeve 69 carries an enlarged integral head E l, arranged between the bearing 22 and cover plate 62. This head 6 has an annular groove 65 formed in its periphery, slidably receiving a pair of diametrically opposed pins or lugs 66, rigidly secured to a generally U-shaped yoke 61, which straddles the head 64 of clutch sleeve-6,0. The yoke 67 is preferably integrally secured to a vane adjusting lever or handle 58, which extends transversely beyond one side of 'the shaft 25 and is horizontally disposed. The

support plate 69 preferably has one end rigidly secured to the top of pedestal 2 I, as at l I, Figure 5 1-, and the' support plate Gamay-be formed-"integratwith the top :of the pedestal :21; asindicated. The opposite end of the support plate 69 abuts the end oover plate ld, and-is-rig'idly securedthereto many suitable "manner.

It may now be seen that the apparatus comprises a rotor including therotatable shaft fi, spider rings 2! and 3d, :screen""-3.8,-- adjustable vanes 43 and the above described linkage: for operating the vanes :"43, including thellongitudinally shiftableclutch-sleeve 66. ''This 'rotoriis journalled upon the bearings 22 and- 24, and excep'tfortheouter end portion of the clutch sleeve 60 operates entirely within the stationary'cas'ing I5. it I In order to turn the shaft 25 during the-operation of the apparatus, Iimount a relatively large grooved pulley H =upon therotatable sshaft- 25 near and outwardly of the. pedestal 2-1. pulley-is rigidly secured LO the :shaft 25.-for rotation therewith by .a set screw .l2v 'or. the like. A stationary variable speed motor and gear :sp'eed reducer unit 13 of conventional= construction.-.is arranged near theend of the apparatushaving the pulley TI, and the unit'13 drives aigrooved pulley 14, carried thereby iniradial alignment with the pulley l I, Figure 2, and'operatively connected therewith by a .belt 15.

. AnhL-shaped. hot air. inlet pipe 76 opensxinto the bottom f the cylindrical casing ..l 5 near. the end of the .same .havingthe support 1.1. The outerzend of thepipe .76 .is adapted for connection with the heating flue of ahot air furnace, voil burner, or the lil :e,..not.:shown. I .providean adjustable damper]? inrt-he hot air inlet pipe 16,

toifacilitate the introduction of -some coldxiair into thepipe .16 when desired.

.An- L-shaped exhaust pipe 1B for :moisture laden airiopens into ithe'topof the "casing linear its opposite end, :and between the .end 'coveriplate l8 and spider ring 36. The space between the end cover plate 18 andspider ring .Gdconstitutes a chamber or reservoir for the moisture laden air to be exhausted through the pipe 18. The exhaust pipe 18 is adapted for connection with a suitable exhaust fan, not shown, whichcserves to maintain asuitable flow of heated air: through the casing :5 during the operation of the-apparatus. If. desired, to further aid .in-circulating heated air through the apparatus, a blower, not shown,;may be connected with the .air inlet pipe l6. .Thepipes'ifi-and 18 are both horizontal; and extend transversely .of the casing 15, as shown.

"An upwardly directed inlet duct or pipe 19 for the material being dehydrated opens through the end cover plate '59 and isrigidly: secured thereto;-

The end 80 of the pipe '39 preferably'projects slightly inside ofthe adjacent open end of the rotary screen 38, for delivering the grain, :or. the like centrally therein. The pipe 19 has rigidly secured to its upper end an adjustable metering valve casing 8!, having a dischargeopening 82 registering with the top of the pipe 19, Figure 2. The metering valve casing 81 contains a rotary valve element 83 having an opening or port 84, shiftable into and out of registration or partial registration with the opening 82, to regulate the flow of material to the pipe 19. The metering valve may be of conventional construction, and accordingly, only a fragmentary portion of the Valvei's illustrated in Figures 1 and .2.

"Iniorder tosynchronizeithe adjustment of the metering valve element 83 with the adjustment of the'vanes43, which "regulatethe flow of 'materialrthroughth'e-screen 38,1 provide a longitudinally shiftableconne'cting rod 85; arranged ad 6 j'acent' to the-*outside of casing rS-LandxeXtending longitudinally' thereof :and "slidably :engag-mg through aligned guideopenings .86, formed in the marginal portions of the end cover plates l 8 :and

I9 and therompanion end flanges of theica'si-ng l5. one endaofthe longitudina1:shiftable connecting *rodii35 ha's. a pivotalLslotted connection at' BJ with the :horizontal :swingable il'ever 58, out

su'chthatzswing-ing .ofthe lever 8 about its pivot 10 zwu llzefiect :the simultaneous adj ustment... of :the pivoted vanes 543131111 rotary meteringvalveelement i83., zto.r.thereby zsynchronizeior equalize the fiowof material .into and out of. the apparatus.

.Acshort depending-. discharge chute .ifiaisiintegrally formed upon the bottom of the casingxlfi, substantially below-the exhaust pipe 18, and opening intoithe casing between theend cover plate 18 and-sealing spider ringed The loweriendaof the :discharge: chute as has .a horizontal: rectangular frame 96 rigidly secured thereto and .a yertically swingable-dump of trap door 911 .is-provid'ed to cover the opening 88 of the frame .195. "The trap door 9'! is provided atone end withafhinge knuckle 99, receiving a :rock shaft or pin tlilll, rigidly secured therein. The rock shaft :11!!! :is freely journa'lled for rotation within aligned openings I M formedin theframe it, upon .op-.

posite sides of the trap door .91, the trap door being .fast upon the rock shaft {BB and rotatable therewith relative to the discharge chute :95. The rock shaft I00 projects laterally beyond one .side of the frame 96,..and has a transverse screw threaded rod Hi2 rigidly secured to its end by welding-or the like,:and arranged at-r-ight angles thereto and extending beyond opposite sides-:of the "rocku-shaft I00, see Figure 1. Thescrew threaded rod. 402 carries a pair of adjustable weights .103, having screw threaded engagementtherewith, and arranged upon opposite sides :of the rock shaft Illfi. =By .meansof this arrangement, the trapdoor 91 may "be adjusted to open downwardly when a pre-determined amount ofdehydratedmaterial, .such as dehydrated grain, has been deposited :upon the trap door, after discharging from .the-openend oi the screen'351adjacent to the discharge chute $95. The dehydrated material discharging through the chute "95 may be collected in suitable -bins, or upon a movable belt or the @like,v not shown. A .dial type thermometer lillll. of conventional eonstruotionds.

mounted upon. a short upstanding .atubular. neck I05, formed integral with the :casing ldnear the end .of the sameia'djacent theend cover plate :19. The tubularmeck IDS-places the thermometer 104 indirect communication with the hot-air within the casing l5, so that the temperature of the apparatus \may be observed.

The casing I5 is provided in its bottom,-.near its [longitudinal center with a .large cleanout opening- Hi6, covered by a removablecover plate l-U-I, preferably .formed of transparent material such .as Pyrex glass,.-.or the like.

Operation The imater'ial intake pipe 19 having .themetering valve lement"83 connected therein is placed 7 in communication with a grain hopper, fertilizer hopper or like source of supply of material to be dehydrated. The material gravitates through the pipe 19 to the smaller end of the conically tapered rotary screen 38, Figure 2, and the flow of material through the pipe 19 will be regulated by adjustment of the rotary metering valve element 83, whose metering aperture 84 may register or partially register with the opening 82.

The rotor including shaft 25, tubular screen 38 and associated elements revolves continuously at a relatively slow speed during the operation of the machine, and is driven by the motor-speed reducer unit 13. Heated air from the hot air furnace or the like circulates continuously through the casing I and screen 38. As previously stated, the heated air enters the apparatus through the pipe 16, and flows longitudinally through the casing l5 and is exhausted along with the moisture extracted from the material being treated through the exhaust pipe 18.

The rotary screen 38 subjects the material being treated to a continuous tumbling and agitation, as the material passes longitudinally through the screen. The screen 38 becomes larger or flares conically toward its discharge end, so that gravity will assist the passage of the material longitudinally through the screen. While the material is passing through the screen 38, it co-mingles thoroughly with the hot air inside of the casing and becomes dehydrated to the desired extent, the moisture laden air tending to collect in the space between the end cover plate 18 and ring 30, prior to exhausting through the pipe 18. The dehydrated material finally tumbles from the discharge end of the rotating screen 38 and falls upon the pivoted trap door 91, which opens to dump the material, when a pre-determined weight of the same accumulates upon the trap door.

The rate of discharge of the treated material from the apparatus will depend upon the speed with which the material passes through the rotary screen 38, and this will in turn be determined by the relative moisture content of the given material, and the degree of dehydration which it is desired to effect. In any event, the rate of flow of the material through the apparatus may be regulated by angular adjustment of the several sets of vanes 43, and these vanes serve the dual purpose of speeding up or slowing down the rate of flow of the material through the screen 38, and simultaneously subjecting the material to a continuous tumbling and comminuting action within the revolving screen 38.

The vanes 43 and all of their associated adjustment linkage revolve with the screen 38 and shaft 25. The adjustment or pivoting of all four sets of the vanes 43 about their pivots 42 may be simultaneously effected by swinging the lever 68 upon its pivot 10 at any time during the operation of the machine, and while the screen or tumbler 38 is rotating. When the pivoted vanes 43 are simultaneously adjusted or tilted in one direction relative to the longitudinal axis of rotation of the screen 38, the material moving longitudinally through the screen will be retarded or slowed. When the vanes are tilted in the opposite direction, the material will pass longitudinally through the screen 38 with increased speed, and it will of course depend upon the direction of rotation of the shaft for determining which way to tilt the vanes 43 to retard or speed up the flow of material through .the screen 38, as should be obvious. At no time is.

it necessary to stop the rotation of thescreen 38- to adjust the angle of the vanes 43, and the operator need not, and in fact, cannot place his hand inside of the casing 15, which is entirely closed. This renders the apparatus safe to operate. The adjustment of all four sets of vanes 43 is simultaneously efiected by means of the lever 68, as previously stated, from outside of the casing l5.

For a given setting or adjustment of the vanes 43, a given amount of the dehydrated material will be discharged through the chute 95 in a specified time. It is desirable that the same amount of material pass into the apparatus through the pipe 19 during the same time interval. To accomplish this, the control lever 68, when shifted to adjust the angle of inclination of the vanes 43, simultaneously efiects the adjustment of the rotary metering valve element 83, to bring the opening 34 into the proper degree of registration with the opening 82 to supply the proper amount of material to the pipe I9, to replenish the material which has discharged through the chute 95. The lever 68 when swung in either direction for tilting the vanes 43 in either direction will simultaneously shift the con-' necting rod 85 one way or the other longitudinally of the casing l5. This will cause the lever 89 and slotted crank 93 to turn one way or the other, for increasing or decreasing the degree of registration of the opening 84 with the opening 82.

It should be mentioned that the radial flange 32 and sealing rings 33 divide the casing l5 substantially into two compartments for the hot air flowing through the same. As previously mentioned', the relatively small compartment to the left of the ring 30 in Figure 2 serves as a collection chamber for the moisture laden hot air to be exhausted through the pipe 18. The com-' partment of the casing l5 to the right of the ring 30 in Figure 2 is the dehydrating compartment of the apparatus, where the dry heated air actually co-mingles with the material in the screen or tumbler 38 and effects the dehydrating or drying of the material.

The heated air entering this compartment through the pipe 16 cannot pass the flange 32 and rings 33 to the smaller exhaust reservoir or compartment, but must flow mixing or co-mingling of the heated air with the material takes place, and the dehydrating is very eiiective. Any particles of the material being treated which happen to sift radially through the screen 38 will collect on the bottom of the casing l5, and may be cleaned out through the opening I06.

The apparatus is obviously capable of use for dehydrating a wide variety of materials, such as that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims,

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. Dehydrating apparatus comprising a casing adapted to receive a heating medium, a shaft.

.the casing, a perforated sleeve arranged within the casing and secured to the shaft for rotation therewith and having material intake and discharge :ends, sets of vanes pivotally mounted within the sleeve for rotation therewith, the sets being spaced circumferentially about the sleeve.

operating linkages connected with the sets of vanes to effect pivotal adjustment of the vanes and rotatable with the sleeve and shaft, an element slidably mounted upon the shaft and connected with all of the linkages to operate the same when the element is shifted longitudinally oi the shaft, said element extending outside of the casing, and a movable operating member connected with the element to shift the element longitudinally of the shaft when the shaft is rotating or at rest.

2. Dehydrating apparatus comprising-an elongated generally horizontal casing having-inlet and exhaust openings near its opposite ends for a fluid heating medium, in upwardly extending material inlet duct connected with one end of the casing and leading into the casing, 21. meterin valve element connected with th material inlet duct and adjustable to regulate the passage of material through the duct to the casing, a foraminous tubular element journalled within the elongated casing for rotation and extending throughout a major portion of the length of the casing and having a material inlet end communicatin with said material inlet duct and a discharge end, the casing being provided in its bottom near the discharge end of the tubular element with a material outlet opening, angularly adjustable vanes arranged within said tubular element and rotatable therewith and adapted to retard or speed up the passage of the material longitudinally through said tubular element toward its discharge end, mechanical means connected with th vanes to angula'rly adjust the same in unison while the tubular element rotates and operable from outside of the casing, and means connected with said mechanical means and metering valve element and synchronizing the adjustment of the metering valve element and vanes, whereby substantially the same amount of material will be fed into the apparatus through the material inlet duct as passes out through the material outlet opening of the casing.

3. Dehydratin apparatus for divided material comprising a casing having inlet and exhaust openings for a fluid heating medium, an upwardly directed material intake duct connected with the casing and leading into the same, an adjustable zietering valve element connected with said intake duct to regulate the flow of divided material by gravity through the same, a sleeve rotatably mounted within the casing and having openings permitting the fluid heating medium to circulate within the sleeve and inlet and discharge openings for said material, the inlet opening of the rotatable sleeve being adapted to receive the divided material from said intake duct, the casing having a material discharge opening near the discharge opening of the sleeve, sets of pivoted agitator blades mounted Within said sleeve and rotatable therewith and adjustable to retard or speed up the passage of the material longitudinally through said sleeve, a linkage connected with each set of pivoted agitator blades to effect their pivotal adjustment in unison, the linkages rotating with said sleeve, an element connected with all of said linkages and rotatable therewith and shiftable axially of the rotatable sleeve for operating the linkages in unison, a pivoted operating member having swivelled connection with said element and adapted to shift the element axially of the sleeve, and a linkage connecting the pivoted operating member and metering valve element so that the metering valve element is adjusted-in unison with the sets of pivoted agitator blades.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising a casing adapted :to receive a fluid heating medium, a shaft j ournalled upon the casing for rotation and extending inside the casing and exteriorly thereof, a sleeve secured to the shaft within the casing for rotation therewith and being apertured to permit circulation of the fluid heating means within the sleeve, sets of longitudinally spaced angularly adjustable agitator blades pivoted to the sidewall of the sleeve and extending generally radially into the sleeve and bodily carried by the sleeve, the sets of blades being circumferentially spaced about the sleeve, short operating crankssecured to the angularly adjustable blades in each set and arranged outwardlyof the sidewall of the sleeve, a common longitudinally s'hiftable operating bar pivotally connected with the short cranks of each set'of blades and extending longitudinally of the sleeve, pivoted cross links connected with corresponding ends of the common operating bars near one end of the rotatable sleeve, a clutch "sleeve slidably mounted upon the rotatable shaft and connected with the pivoted cross lengths to operate the same in unison, the clutch sleeve extending outside of the casing, and a pivoted operating lever having swivelled connection with the clutch sleeve to effect longitudinal adjustment of the same while the shaft and clutch sleeve are rotating.

5. Dehydrating apparatus comprising a casing having inlet and outlet openings for a fluid heating medium, a perforated sleeve journaled within the casing for rotation and having material inlet and discharge ends, a plurality of angularly adjustable vanes mounted within the sleeve for rotation therewith, an operating linkage connected with said vanes within the casing and rotatable with the vanes and sleeve, a member arranged outside of the casing and adapted to reciprocate longitudinally of the sleeve and connected with the operating linkage to actuate the same for angularly adjusting the vanes in unison while the sleeve rotates, means connected with said member to reciprocate the same, and means con nected with the sleeve to rotate the same.

6. Dehydrating apparatus comprising a casing adapted to receive a fluid heating medium, a perforated sleeve journaled within the casing for rotation and adapted to receive and discharge material, a plurality of angularly adjustable vanes mounted within the sleeve for rotation therewith, an operating linkage connected with the vanes inside of the casing and rotatable with the vanes and sleeve, a shaft connected with said sleeve for rotation therewith and extending outside of the casing, a member mounted upon the shaft outside of the casing for reciprocation axially of the shaft and sleeve and connected with the operating linkage to actuate the same for angularly adjustwithin the sleeve for rotation therewith and adapted to regulate the passage of the material longitudinally through the sleeve during rotation of the sleeve, operating means connected with said vane means inside of the casing and rotatable with the vane means and sleeve, reciprocatory means arranged exteriorly of the casing and connected with said operating means to actuate the same for angularly adjusting the vane means during rotation of the sleeve, and means connected with the sleeve to rotate the same.

8. Dehydrating apparatus comprising a casing adapted to receive a fluid heating medium, a perforated sleeve mounted within the casing for rotation and having material inlet and discharge ends, angularly adjustable sets of vanes arranged within the sleeve for rotation therewith and adapted to regulate the passage of the material longitudinally through the sleeve during rotation of the sleeve, operating means connected with the sets of vanes inside of th casing and rotatable with the sets of vanes and sleeve, reciprocatory means arranged exteriorly of the casing and connected with said operating means to actuate the same for angularly adjusting the sets of vanes in unison during rotation of the sleeve, and means connected with the sleeve to rotate the same.

9. Dehydrating apparatus comprising a casing adapted to receive a fluid heating medium, a perforated sleeve mounted within the casing for rotation and having material inlet and discharge ends, circumferentially spaced sets of angularly adjustable vanes mounted within the perforated sleeve for rotation therewith and adapted to regulate the passage of the material through the sleeve during rotation of the sleeve, operating means connected with the sets of angularly adjustable vanes inside of the casing and rotatable with the sets of vanes and sleeve, a shaft connected with the sleeve for rotation therewith and extending axially of the sleeve and. exteriorly of the sleeve and casing, means connected with the shaft exteriorly of the casing to rotate th shaft and sleeve, and non-rotatable reciprocatory means connected with the shaft exteriorly of the casing and connected with said operating means to actuate the same for angularly adjusting the vanes of the sets in unison during rotation of the sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 819,240 Mills May 1, 1906 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 206,513 Germany Feb. 13, 1909 

